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2 Texas firefighters stable after deadly blaze

A Bryan firefighter walks across the smoking rubble of a Knights of Columbus Hall in Bryan, Texas, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013. Two Texas fire lieutenants have died of burns after battling a lodge hall fire, and two are hospitalized, a city official said Saturday. (AP Photo/Bryan College Station Eagle, Stuart Villanueva)

BRYAN, Texas (AP) — Doctors are optimistic that two Texas firefighters hospitalized Sunday will recover from serious burns suffered in a blaze that killed two colleagues, their chief said.

Bryan Fire Chief Randy McGregor thanked everyone for their prayers for the families of the firefighters who died and for the men who were injured in the blaze that broke out Friday night at an unoccupied Knights of Columbus Hall.

Mourners left bouquets of flowers at the burned-out structure. A prayer service was planned Sunday night at Bryan High School.

The investigation into what caused the overnight fire that on Saturday claimed the lives of Lt. Eric Wallace, 36, and Lt. Gregory Pickard, 54, could take months, according to McGregor. He declined to speculate on what sparked the fire.

"State fire marshal's office is doing the investigation," said Mary Lynne Stratta, a city spokeswoman. "Could take up to six months for their report and ruling to come out."

Firefighters Ricky Mantey Jr., 30, and Mitchel Moran, 21, were in serious but stable condition Sunday at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Stratta said. McGregor did not release specifics on their injuries.

Funeral arrangements are pending for Pickard. Wallace's funeral will be Thursday morning at First Baptist Church in Bryan, about 90 miles northwest of Houston.

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